My Thoughts about Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise”

The theme of the poem “Still I Rise” is having self-respect and confidence. (IC) An example of this is in the 25th and 26th lines. (IC) These lines are “You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes…but still like air, I rise.”() These lines are explaining that no matter how hard you fall; you can overcome any struggle with self-respect and confidence. (CD-CX) This enlightening theme can apply to all humans. (IC) It encourages readers to be brave and overcome struggles. (IC)

The author shows the speaker’s change in many ways. (IC) One way the change is shown is in the text itself. (IC) If you observe the stanzas, you can see an interesting change. () In the first half of the poem, the speaker is unsure of him/herself. (IC) In this half, the speaker asks questions. (IC) An example of this is in the 4th stanza. (IC) In it, the speaker asks, “Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries.” (IC) It is as though the speaker is asking for acceptance and clarification from his/her culprit. (IC)

I feel it isn’t necessary for an author to experience tragedy in order to write meaningful poetry. (CD) Rather, an author must have a meaningful experience to write meaningful poetry. (IC) Without experiencing an event, one can’t tell the tale. (CD) This is because if you haven’t experienced the event, you don’t know the feeling or emotion the occurrence would cause. (CX) Therefore, it is important for an author to go through a meaningful experience in order to write a meaningful poem. (CX)

About Raheequa Khan

Raheequa Khan is a student at Collegiate School of Medicine and Bioscience. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. In her spare time, she often plays volleyball, does dance, or hangs out with her amazingly crazy siblings.
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